Chick pecked to the bone / meat

[zami]

One of my hens got to one of my chicks, and pecked her terribly.

Her head looks a little like the chick posted in another thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicks-head-pecked-to-the-bone.678198/

but... with more "meat" at the back of her neck. I tried neosporin but everything is so wet the neosporin just sort slides around. I'm stunned she is alive at all.

I've separated her from the three other hens (who I didn't intend her to be with at all!) and the three other same-size chicks.

Should I try and save her?
Let her be, presumably to die?
Should I kill her? (I am not heartless, I am honestly trying to determine if she might recover, or if a quick snip with the garden shears would be "better" than being handled and fussed over for some miserable days before death.)

 

[Ladybird CA]

poor thing..maybe try pouring saline on it? You can get it from drugstores. Pat it gently dry with gauze, neosporin, then try taping gauze on top?

 

[Aklewis]

how old is the chick? Maybe try to dab the area dry with a rag and then apply the neo.

 

[zami]

Thanks for the replies!

I think the chick is a little over 3 months. Past that adorable fluff stage, past that gawky odd-length feathers stage, but still decidedly "chick".

Two quick updates -
1 I remembered I have iodine wound spray, so I squirted her down with that. (We got it from a livestock and domestic vet, for a previous neighbor dog vs hen incident.)

2 I had completely overlooked *another* chick pecked to the skull. But it's nothing like the first chick... anyhow I doused this one with iodine as well, and I think she'll be fine. She has a flap of skin hanging off though. Any suggestions on what to do with the flap? It's fresh... could I spread it and bandage her? Should I snip it off? Leave it alone?

Is bandaging a chick reasonable at all? It honestly seems like it might hinder healing.

I'm off to set up an infirmary somewhere.

 

[zami]

Thanks again for the replies. If nothing else it's nice to not be limited to internal panic!

Only one of my kids (he's 12) has seen the state of the chicks. I don't really want to let the others know until I feel less indecisive!

 

[Ladybird CA]

hard to say what to do w the skin flap but glad you got the iodine!

 

[Birdsong 82]

Where is the flap. Those older hands can be so so mean sometimes. But I was wondering where the flap of skin was maybe there is some sort of bandage or liquid bandage depending on the area you could try to use

 

[zami]

Where is the flap. Those older hands can be so so mean sometimes. But I was wondering where the flap of skin was maybe there is some sort of bandage or liquid bandage depending on the area you could try to use

It's on the side of her head. It's the top of her scalp, rolled up and dangling to the side. She seems completely oblivious.

 

[zami]

I called the vet, and they'll see both chicks tomorrow morning.

I feel silly taking the birds into the vet... these are farm vets and chicks have zero monetary value. Buuuuut they have been patient with me bringing in hens, twice before. I'm glad they humor me!

 

[niglefritz]

We had this happen to various birds. Some of which didn't seem to notice (not sure how) and some of which didn't look like they would recover.

First, separate & clean the wound with clean, warm water. After this, you can put honey on the wound, which keeps tissues alive and disinfects them at the same time. Honey is a great healer!

We have also used broadleaf plantain as a poultice (mash up & apply...when black, add a new poultice). You can use comfrey as well to accelerate healing.

Just make sure that this chick is separate from ALL others, as the others would love to peck this off.

I would also give the chick electrolytes (or homemade equivalent) to help with stress issues.

If you were in Canada, I would also recommend applying Fiskes as it is all natural & really does wonders to wounds for horses & other farm animals. It is from the east coast. You should be able to find it online.